"The roads are getting very busy again," says Henri de Wit. He's a planner at SVB Transportgroep in the Netherlands. That's in response to the scaling back of COVID-19 rules in Europe. They've come through the pandemic well though, he adds. Traffic was much calmer at the beginning of the pandemic. But, drivers' waiting times for loading and unloading actually increased.
That situation's now mostly returned to normal. Warehouses and cold stores are also increasingly strictly using loading and unloading time slots. "Then you have to plan tightly, and you sometimes have a gap hour." If there's a delay as well as traffic congestion, Henri believes it's vital to inform customers immediately. Then, they, too, can plan. "You ultimately have to work it out together."
Service
This fits in with the optimal service provision philosophy to which SVB Transportgroep aspires. As does quick change-overs, so as to deliver goods to clients on time. Henri says service sometimes trumps optimal load factors. "That's a relationship you build with customers over time," he says.
These relationships ensure they have a stable customer base. The transport company primarily focuses on transporting fruit and vegetables in the Netherlands. Its route spans roughly from the Westland to Venlo. And it has 30 self-owned trucks and 37 drivers. This greenhouse horticulture specialist deliberating focuses on the Netherlands. "You have to do that at which you're good. We have links in the Dutch regions. We visit those every day. We have contacts and are strong there."
Groupage
The carrier does mainly groupage - the clustering of goods from different locations. De Wit's noticed that there are fewer links in the chain. But, he also sees many new small companies emerging. He thinks this fluctuation of links in the chain will continue. Henri's, however, not concerned about groupage services. "Mixed-pallet goods for the food sector will have to be collected, regardless." But, he does see that fruit and vegetables are increasingly being collected directly from the growers. These are for delivery in Europe.
Sustainability
"We try to do our bit," he says about SVB Transportgroep's sustainability measures. For example, they use the cleanest engines; these meet Euronorm 6. And they now have four LHVs. However, the transporter says using these longer vehicles requires careful consideration. "Not all customers are equipped for these yet."
"And there has to be enough product available to fill these trucks. They're especially good for long hauls, though," Henri concludes. The new refrigerated vehicles also have solar panels on their roofs. He thinks using electric trucks is fast approaching. This offers opportunities for urban distribution. But it's not yet time to use these for longer distances.
Henri de Wit
henri@svbtransportgroep.nl
SVB Transportgroep
ABC Westland 293
2685 DC Poeldijk
0174-282270
info@svbtransportgroep.nl
www.svbtransportgroep.nl